Mission Trips: 2009

Three mission trips are scheduled this year, including the ongoing Appalachian Service Project mission trip (June 14-20), our Youth’s mission trip to the Hinton Rural Life Center (June 21-26); and the Honduras mission trip (July 11-18).

All who take upon themselves the name of Christ are called into ministries of love and service by the example of Christ.  As these members of our community begin their work in other communities, we pray the blessings of God upon their endeavors.

We recognize them as ambassadors of this congregation in ministry with the people of these communities and dedicate them to service in the name of Jesus Christ. Through our prayers we will be united with them in their work. May God richly bless their labors.

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts. We commit ourselves to the rights and dignity of all persons and to the improvement of the quality of life. We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world and to the rule of justice and law among all nations. We believe in the present and final triumphs of God’s Word in human affairs, and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world.
 

Honduras Mission Trip Postponed

The Saint Mark 2009 Honduras mission team had planned to travel to the village of la Ceiba July 11-18. Unfortunatly the recent government coup and civil unrest has caused the team to postpone its trip. Once it is available, more information will be announced. Any donations given to aid the trip will still be used for this mission, whether a trip will take place later this year or in 2010. The members of the team are grateful for your support and ask for your continued prayers as them as they consider rescheduling the trip and for the citizens of Honduras during this unstable time.

Team members: please attend a team meeting this Wednesday, July 8, 6 pm, in Wade Hall, to discuss this decision to postpone and to "tie up any loose ends" concerning trip arrangements.

Members of this year’s team include: Walter Allen, Katina Asbell, Greg Brown, Roger Brown, Pam Buzbee, Terry Davis, Lisa Duncan, John Hannula, Jim Hydrick, Liz Larsen, Mark McElroy, David Mobley, Jimmy Moor, Mary Murray, Harvey Oaxaca, Clyde Parks, Byron Pittman, Betsy Russell, Peyton Smith, Barry Stearns, Maria Toboada, and Laura Weakland. Contact Byron Pittman for information about the Honduras trip.
 

Hinton All Ages in Mission for Youth

Once again this year Saint Mark will commission a team of Saint Mark youth and leaders for a mission trip to the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville, North Carolina, June 21-26.

Hinton’s youth program is specifically designed for youth groups seeking a mission experience, similar to the Appalachian Service Project, which includes much hands-on work ... supervised by a Hinton staffer.  The program emphasizes education and involvement, equipping the youth with both knowledge and confidence to do construction or repair work they might have thought too difficult.

Mandy's Blog Reports

Sunday, June 21: Van of Liberal Youth encounter Florida Boy Scouts at area Wendy’s; only looks exchanged

So, we arrived today, early. For those of you who know me, you know this is nothing short of a miracle. I’ve never been early for anything in my life. We were greeted by our dear friend, Julia, who welcomed each of us by name and pointed us to our accommodations. To preface, last year, we stayed in individual rooms in the lodge, which was fine. Lovely. Accommodating.

This year? Julia housed us in the McCall House, which is about 50 yards from the lake. It has a front porch with four pillars and three rocking chairs. We have a kitchen, living room (did I mention porch??), four bedrooms, and two bathrooms. I don’t even know what to do with myself, and I nearly wept when I discovered the washer and dryer. We’ve settled in on the porch, in our best imitation of a retirement community. In theory, we’re here to do some great work with a lovely family, but in practice, it feels a lot like vacation right now.

It’s been a great first day. Our fridge is stocked with mainly bad-for-us foods and some ice cream. We’re ready to see the Day family tomorrow, and anxious to get our hands on some hammers to put in a new floor for them. More soon – and look for some guest bloggers this week, especially since Julia asked me to preach on Thursday evening (!). So, I’m hoping that the youth will put in a post for us.

Monday, June 22: Inside Jokes Start Here

Today was our first day at the site. It was an especially expectant day, since we have the blessing of knowing the family with whom we are working. After rain woke us, spacing itself through the sun that rose on Lake Chatuge, we had breakfast and got the tools ready and loaded for our drive into Murphy, NC. As we pulled into the Day family property, Annie and W.L. greeted us with smiles and open arms. They welcomed us into their home, which went through significant improvements last summer. The last time our group saw it, Annie and W.L. were without a bathtub, walls, power, and water. They were also just moments away from giving up on all hope when we met them.

(read the rest of the entry on Mandy's blog: revmamaflemming.blogspot.com)

Tuesday, June 23: A Day Like Any Other

On my second year in attendance, I'm starting to get a sense of the macrorhythm of life at Hinton. Monday is a bit slow, as we all get a feel for one another, the family and our work. Tuesday comes with energy and vigor. The team is ready and arrive on site with a plan and direction. Wednesday, we hit a snag of some sort and start being less patient and more snarky. Thursday is one big scramble to overcome the snag and an astonishing amount of work gets done. Morale is high. Joy is renewed.

This was, then, a typical Tuesday. We arrived, and at Jackson's behest, we did a lot of construction before lunch. We dove into our jobs and got some things done. Benjamin and I had the goal of leveling the joists for the floor, which required prying a support beam off and, 7 nails and two hours later, nailing it back on. (But, let me assure you, that joist was LEVEL when we left.)

(read the rest of the entry on Mandy's blog: revmamaflemming.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, June 24: Explosion of Epic Proportions!

Today's title references not disaster, but the joy of being in close quarters with teenagers for a week. They, mostly, like each other, and I completely love them. We are all working quite well together. They are developing their own language for this trip, and, for the most part I get it (or pretend to).

This week has given me the chance to work on a theory that teenagers actually make one another moody and disinterested in their parents. I base this theory completely on my own children, who have suddenly turned into folks who are so over me and my whole way of being. I am a tremendous embarrassment to them and they kind of want me to wander off into the wilderness, until, that is they fall down and scrape their knee. Then, I become relevant and useful again as a dispenser of band aids and hugs. It's a little window into the future, and I'm praying that they revert back to semidependent little boys, if only for a little while.

(read the rest of the entry on Mandy's blog: revmamaflemming.blogspot.com)

Appalachia Service Project

Saint Mark sent a Mission Team to Duff, Tennessee, just north of Knoxville, as part of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) the week of June 14-20.

Central Appalachia is rich in natural resources with vast coal deposits, lush timber, majestic mountains and people with a strong work ethic and deep pride in their heritage. Despite all of this, for over 100 years the region has been riddled with poverty. In the counties ASP serves, over 55,000 households have annual incomes of less than $10,000 and poverty rates are over 3 times the national average. In these few counties, there are still over 9,000 homes which lack plumbing. In the last 40 years, ASP has helped over 13,000 families secure a safer, warmer and drier home and in doing so, transformed lives forever.

The Appalachian Service Project provides vital housing services to low income families living in Central Appalachia as well as transformational life experiences to those they serve, volunteers offering their service, congregations involved with ASP, and entire communities.

This year’s Saint Mark ASP team members were: Jeff Boetig, Angie Buysse, Camille Foster, Steve Gutermuth, James Harris, Deana Hilton, Candace Jones, Chris McFarland, Beth Allyn Parker, Julie Tootle, and Autumn Weaver. Please pray for our team during their trip.

For more information about Missions at Saint Mark or if you have suggestions, contact Rev. Josh Noblitt, Minister of Social Justice and Chair of Community Outreach & Missions, 404.873.2636 x19, or Rev. Phillip Thomason, Minister of Outreach & Pastoral Care, 404.873.2636 x12.